July 19 Letters to the Editor

Article raises red flags

After reading the (July 2) article “Wahkiakum port broke bidding law, audit finds” in a recent edition, several red flags are raised:

• Why did it take “several years” for the state auditor too review the bid?

• Was there a whistle blower?

• Were the port board members aware of the formal bidding process and the $200,000 limit on public works bids?

• Was legal counsel sought during the process?

• Was there a conflict of interest?

• Will the board members “face” legal action?

Robert H. Fritzie

Cathlamet

Put money to better use

Someone please explain logically and compassionately the spending of $2 million on a Castle Rock boat launch when so many of our area’s fellow citizens are losing or have lost their jobs, housing and means of providing even the basics for their families.

Not one economist is disputing the impending arrival of possibly the worst economic crisis people have had to weather since the Great Depression. Why can’t that $2 million be used to palliate the suffering so many will be forced to endure this winter? Why can’t that money be used to stock area food banks, provide grants for shelter, purchase winter clothing and lunches for our needy school children, as well as purchase heating oil, and electricity, insuring that this winter no Cowlitz County family has to choose between keeping warm and putting food on the table?

Someone please explain how this boat launch is going to be any different than the two at Gearhart Gardens buried under sand and ash, which has made them unusable. I have always been puzzled and disappointed that a spectacularly beautiful area such as Cowlitz County, overflowing with scenic rivers, lakes and natural amenities, could have such a shortage of public access to those recreational opportunities. However, the “here and now” dictates a new set of priorities, and it is unconscionable to not focus all our resources on these priorities.

Ean Harrison

Kelso

Council sends wrong signal

I’m letting all residents, including recently unemployed, know where their $154,904-plus is going — ”the Kelso Council Skate Park.” At the July 7 meeting, our own city financial advisor, Brian Butterfield, who would know, and councilman Dan Myers told the council that would not be good given our current budget, as has been told to them all along. With two jobs lost because of it, Mayor David Futcher, Gerald Mallalla, Todd McDaniels and others pushed it through.

Our council is putting what they want over what the city really needs and/or can afford. More important city projects have been scrapped due to funding issues.

If you want something, you wait until you get enough support in the council to do it.

Why have “public meetings”? They’ve shown they have their minds made up from the start. These meetings are window dressing. (70 signatures against).

I believe, given the budget situation, and to still do this, is borderline criminal. A misappropriation of public funds. I wish legal council would look into it.

This is a skate park. Not a hospital.

It’s outright going back on their word, as a council. They do what they want.

They even want volunteers to help maintain it. Gee, no maintenance funds. Guess who pays for that? Tell those unemployed where their money is going, councilmen.

Les Cornwell

Kelso

We’ll all pay

It appears that universal health care is a slam-dunk for the Obama administration, and it will be paid for by the top wage earners. Great news.

But what happens when the current plan falls just a little bit short of projections? Yes, you guessed it, we all pay, and pay, and pay. But, that’s what you wanted. Congratulations, you win.

Glenn Woods

Longview